Donkey Kong Debuts Dramatic Redesign in Leaks from New Games

Nintendo's significant overhaul of Donkey Kong's design, initially glimpsed in the Mario Kart 9 gameplay shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 unveiling, is now confirmed across a range of merchandise.

Donkey Kong's iconic look, unchanged for decades and featured in titles like Mario Kart 8, Mario Tennis, and Donkey Kong Country Returns, is undergoing a transformation. Many believe the new design resembles the character's appearance in the highly successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

While the redesigned Donkey Kong was only briefly seen in Mario Kart 9, Nintendo Life highlighted a Reddit post by cookiemaster221 showcasing new merchandise featuring the updated character. The post, titled "History is being rewritten in front of our very eyes," sparked considerable discussion.

The merchandise reveals a friendlier Donkey Kong, notably with a softened brow. Commenters on Reddit offered varied opinions. Some compared the change to Kirby's design philosophy, suggesting a shift from an angry to a more relaxed demeanor. Others expressed nostalgia for the original, more serious expression, while some welcomed the new, arguably "goofy" look.

The merchandise provides a clearer view of the redesign than the fleeting appearances in the Mario Kart 9 trailer. A more comprehensive look at the new Donkey Kong in action is anticipated during a Nintendo Direct focused on the Switch 2 in April.

The Switch 2 reveal trailer itself offered limited details about the console's features, primarily showcasing its aesthetic. However, it did confirm backward compatibility, a new, mysterious button on the Joy-Cons, and the accuracy of a theory regarding controller-as-mouse functionality.